Track oiler



April 25, 1933. w, F COURS Y V1,905,155

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April 25, 1933. w F, COORS 1,905,155

'T RRRRRRR ER Filed Nov. 25, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 LK i@ April 25, 1933. w F- COORS' 1,905,155

TRACK OILER Filed Nov. 25, 1929 :s sheets-sheet :s

WMM/www Wm QNXEG'SSES' JW Patented Apr. 25, 1933 UNITED STATES WILLIAM F.` COORS, TACOMA, WASHINGTON TRACKY oILER Application led November 25, 1929. Serial No. 409,478.

My invention relates to a device for lubricating the wheel flange engaging sides of rails and which'is automatically operated by the wheels of a train passing along the rails i the device being such that installation at the desired points in a track may be easily made without necessitating alteration in the rightot-wa The object of the invention is to provide l@ means whereby the wheel flange engaging side of the head or ball of a rail will be properly lubricated and thus at the saine time cause the wheel flanges to be lubricated, thereby reducing the wear on the track rails as well y as wear of the wheels.

The objects and advantages of my invention will be readily comprehended from the detailed description of the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a plan view of my device shown applied to a section or" a track-rail.

Figure 2 is a sectional elevation of the device applied to a track-rail and showing the device in normal position.

' Figure 3 is ,a similar view showing the de vice actuated by a wheel running on the track; only a portion of a wheel being shown.

Figure i is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 2, as viewed by the arrows.

Figure 5 is a detail sectional view taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Figure 8.

The invention in its specilic embodiment as disclosed in the drawings comprises a housing or casing of suitable length to be disposed lengthwise of the track-rail shown at A. In the speciiic form illustrated, the casing 10 is of length suilicient to extend across two adjacent ties shown at B; the oiler unit being located along the inner-side of a running rail as shown.

The casing 10 is formed with a flat base or bottom adapted to rest on the tie-plates as l.; shown at 11. The casing 10 is also preferably formed with an upwardly ofiset bottom portion 12 at the rail-side formed to provide a shoulder 18 adapted to iit against the longitudinal edge of the rail base while the off-set 53 bottom portion 12 overlaps the base oi." the rail and abuts against the web of the rail,` as shown in Figures 2 and 3. l

The rail side wall 15 ofthe casing is preferably off-set from the longitudinal edge of the base portion 12, with the top portion of the side wall preferably sloping toward and terminating adjacent to the outer lower side of the ball of the rail, as shown at 15 in Figures 2 and 8, so as to dispose the inner face of the side wall portion 15 in a sloping plane G@ slightly beyond that of the ball of the rail. The casing is provided with an outer side wall 16 provided adjacent to opposite ends with outwardly extended portions 17, see Figures 2, 3 and 5. The side wall 16 isof G5 some thickness to permit it to vbe provided with one or more channels leading upwardly from the bottom toward the top. In the particular exempliiication this wall is shown provided with three channels or ducts 18, 19 7G and 20 which radiate upwardly from a common chamber 21 arranged in the bottom of wall 16. This chamber 21 is arranged intermediate of the ends of the wall 16.` The cas ing is provided with a'lubricant holding well 75 or reservoir 22 intermediate of the walls 14 and 16 and the ends of the casing. The oil well 22 is provided witha bottom sloping downwardly toward the outer wall16 and the oil well 22 extends substantially throughout S2 the length of the'casing. The bottom of the wall 16 isprovided with a channel 23 which extends lengthwise thereof;v and the ends of channel 23 have communication' with v well 22 by ports 24 shown in dotted lines in S5 Figure 4, while oneis shown infull Vlines in Figure D v The channel 23 is provided with a rotatable` spiral or worm provided withk right and left hand threads on opposite sides of the intermediate portion, to-wit on opposite sides of the point of communication between chamber 21 and the channel23 which latter constitutes a pump chamber. The right and left hand spirals or worms when operated cause the oil to be forced upwardly through y chamber 21 and the ducts 18, 19 and 20; it being understood that the oil in the chamber and ducts is normally at the same level as the oil in the oil Well or reservoir 22. r

uve

The ends of the spindle of the spiral or worm 25 extend through the end walls of the channel 23 suitable bushings being employed where the spindle passes through the end walls so as to prevent leakage of the oil from the channel, as shown at 26 in Figure 4.

The wall 16 vbeyond the ends of channel- 23 is shown provided with enlarged. chambers 27, 27 adjacent opposite ends for the purpose of receiving ratchet wheels 28 the chainbers 27 being formed by the outwardly extended portions 17, as shown in Figurer;

The tops of these extended or enlarged portions 17 are each provided with an opening 29 (see Figure 2) to permit the dog lever v30 to pass therethrough and engage with its respective ratchet wheel 28, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The wall 17, within each chamber 27, is provided with a suitable spring 31 for maintaining the lower end of the lever 30 in yielding operative engagement with the ratchet wheel 28.

The upper ends of these levers 30 are each pivotally connected to the laterally extended arms 32 which are preferably formed in-.

tegral with the pivoted side of a cover niember 33 which extends from the end oit the casing over the oil well or reservoir The cover member is pivotally mounted on a hollow pin or tubular member 34 whose ends are closed in any suitable manner, as for example by the screwplugs 35. The tubularV member 34 is provided with ports which register with the ducts 18, 19 and 2O i and'at suitable spaced intervals is also provided in its side with ports 36. rlhe cover member 33 is of more or less thickness, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, and at suitable intervals is provided with ducts extending transversely toward the free end of the cover member, as shown in dotted lines at 37 in Figures 2 and 3.

The free side of the cover is disposed in close relation with the inner side of the ball i or head of the rail A when in normal position, and the sloping wall portion 15 of the rail side wall 14 of the reservoir or oil well 22 permits the cover member to swing downwardly into the reservoir or well, as shown in Figure 3,

The free outer longitudinal edge of the cover member 33 is provided with a groove 38 which terminates short of opposite ends or l 'the cover member to prevent escape or oil at the ends; and this groove is arranged adjacent the side of the ball or head of the run-V In order to prevent a lateral impact bev tween the wheel-flange and the cover member, the opposite sides-of the cover member are. provided with the dished or sloping Aportions or grooves, as indicated at 41, 41,

thus permitting easier engagement between the wheel-flanges and the cover member.

rlhe device is provided preferably with Van extended base adapted to extend across two ties, as shown in Figure 1, and at suitable points provided with openings to receive the usual spikes, as shown at 42, thereby securing the device in place; the device at the same time Jforming rail holding means because of the lapping relation with the base or the rail, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. ln order to ensure against movement of the device transversely of the rail-ties, I prefer to have opposite ends of the base provided with the downwardly extending portions 43, 43, which are apertured to receive lag screws 44 which extend into the sides of the ties B.

rllhe reservoir or oil well 22 is filled with oil after the device has been secured in place adjacent to the inner side of the rail at the desired locality in the running rail. `It is apparent that the car wheels passing along the rail will cause the wheel-anges to ride onto the cover member 33 and cause the latter to be depressed against the pulling action of the springs 39. Such depression ot the cover member causes the lever-dogs 30 to move upwardly and engage with a tooth or teeth disposed above the tooth engaged in Figure 2, namely as shown in Figure 3. Ars the car-wheel passes beyond the cover member, springs 39 will immediately retract or swing the cover upwardly into the normal position shown in Figure 2.V This return upward movement of the cover causes arms 32 and dogs or levers 30 to move downwardly thereby inducing rotation oi' the ratchet wheels 28 (which are nonrotatably secured to the worm-spindle). This rotative movement oi the wheels 28 causes similar movement of the oppositely disposed spirals on spindle 25 Vwhich will induce the oil to move from the ends of the channel 23 toward the center and into the chamber 21 and thence upwardly through ducts 18, 19 and 20 which in turn discharge the oil into the tubular hinge member 34 from which it will flow through ports 36 into ducts 37 anc be discharged into the groove 38 in the rail engaging edge of the cover member.

The various oar wheelsv passing over the device in rapid succession will induce rapid oscillation of theV cover member and therefore rotation of the screw-conveyor, thereby forcing the oil along channel 23 intochamber 21 and thence upwardly through the ducts 18, 19 and 20 into the tubular hinge member 34 from whence it will flow through ports 36 into the various ducts 37 in the cover member. The oil is then discharged into the groove 38 in the rail-head engaging edge of the cover member, keeping the groove more or less flooded with oil. This will keep the wheel-flange engaging side of the rail-head covered with the lubricating fluid and at the same time also lubricating the wheel-flange.

lVith the screw conveyor or pump `provided with the oppositely disposed spirals, which are in close contact With the walls of the channel 23, it is apparent that the 1ubricating fluid will be forced toward the cent-ral point and will be under pressure to induce the flow as previously described.

' In practice, a number of my improved lubricating units are intended to be installed adjacent to leach rail in the locality where lubrication is required with the result that the circumference of the wheel-flanges of all wheels passing the locality will be lubricated and the wear and tear at present encountered, due to the rictional contact between the wheel-flanges and the rail-head, particularly at curvatures in the track, will be eliminated and the resistance to train movement re duced.

The device is so constructed Athat the lubricant will merely be delivered against the wheel-flange engaging sides of the rail-heads;

l and at the same time foreign matter is prevented from entering the reservoir or oil well by the arrangement of the cover and walls of the casing. The device is so constructed that it may be easily put into place without necessitating change in the rails and ties; at the same time a positive feed of lubricant is provided.

rlhe exemplification of the invention is believed to be the simplest embodiment of the invention, which has been described in terms of description and not as terms of limitation, as structural modifications may be made without, however, departing from the spirit of my invention.`

What I claim is:

1. A device of the character described comprising a casing adapted to be disposed adjacent the side of a track-rail and being provided with a lubricant holding well; an oscillatably mounted cover for said well pro vided with ducts terminating at the edge of the cover disposed adjacent to the ball or head of the rail; a channel communicating with said well and with said ducts; lubrilcant forcing means in said channel; and

means intermediate of the cover and said first mentioned means whereby the latter is actuated by the oscillatory movements of the cover.

2. A device of the character described com-4 prising a casing adapted to be secured adjacent to the side of a track-rail land being provided with a lubricant holding chamber; a cover for said chamber adapted to be engaged by the flange of a wheel passing along the track-rail; lubricant directing means communicating with said chamber and adapted to discharge the lubricant at the side of the rail-head; and means, operable when said cover is engaged by a Wheel-flange, whereby the lubricant is 4orcedfrom said chamber and through said lubricant directing means. Y v

3. A device of the character described comprising a casing adapted to be secured-adjacent to the side of a track-rail and being provided with a lubricant holding chamber, a movably mounted cover for said chamber terminating adjacent to the ball or head of the rail and adapted to be engaged by the flange of a wheel passing along the rail; lubricant conveying ducts communicating with said chamber and terminating4 atthe rail head edge of the cover; lubricant forcing means intermediate of said ducts and said chamber adapted'to force the lubricant from the chamber through said ducts; means intermediate of the cover and said lubricant forcing means whereby the latter is actuated as said cover is moved Aby a Wheel flange; and means whereby said coverris returned to normal position.

4. A device of the character described comprising a casing having a bottom formed to be secured to theties of atrack, a portionA of said casing bottom being formed to lap the base flange of the track rail, said casing being provided with a lubricant holding chamber; a cover for said chamber pivotallyy mounted" so as-to move vertically, the free edge of the cover being disposedv vadjacentV the side of the head of the rail, kthe cover being provided with a lubricant conveying passage terminating at the rail head edgel of the cover while the opposite end of said passage communicates with the lubricant holding chamber; lubricant forcing means at the point of communication betweensaid passage and said chamber; and means intermediate of the cover and said lubricant forcing means whereby the latter is actuated during the vertical movement of said cover induced by the flange of a wheel passing along said rail. Y

5. A device of the character described comprising a casing formed to seat on the ties of a track adjacent to a track rail, said casing being provided with a lubricant holding chamber, a channel arranged adjacent to the bottom of said chamber and having communication therewith; rotatable oil .forcing means in said channel: a cover for said chamber pivotally mounted at one edge so as to oscillate vertically while the free edge `of the cover is disposed adjacent to the. sidev of the head of the rail, said cover being provided with ducts terminating at the rail head edge of the cover and communicating with said channel; means for yieldingly holding and returning said cover to normal position; and means intermediate of the cover and said lubricant forcing means whereby the Vlatter is actuated by the return movement of theV cover to normal position.

'6'. A device of the character described comprising a casing adapted to be arranged adja-Y cent to the rail of a track and having alubricant holding chamber; a cover pivotally mounted on the casing so as to swing vertically with the free edge of the cover arranged adjacent to the head of the rail; lubricant conveying means communicating with said chamber and terminating at the rail edge of the cover; a channel intermediate of said lubricant conveying means and the chamber adapted to receive the lubricant fromsaid chamber and to deliver the same. to said conveying means; 1 rotatable lubricantr forcing means arranged in said channel for forcing the lubricant into said conveying means; pawl and ratchet mechanism intermediate of said lubricant forcing means and the cover whereby movement of the cover Vactuates said lubricant :forcing means; and means for rei turning said cover to normal position.

7. A device of the character described comprising a casing adapted to be secured adj acent to the side of a track rail, said casing being provided with a lubricant holdingchamber and having a channel arranged adjacent to the bottom of said chamber, said channel having communication at its ends with said chamber; a spiral member having oppositely disposed spirals7 rotatably mounted in said channel and adapted to force the oil toward a common point; one wall of the casing being provided with upwardly disposed ducts communicating with said channel; a tubular member secured on said wall and having ports communicating with said ducts and outlet ports leading therefrom; a cover adapted to oscillate about said tubular member with the iree edge of said cover arranged adjacent to the headV of the rail and having agroove disposed lengthwise or" said edge, said cover having ducts leading from said groove and communicating with the outlet ports of said tubular'member; and pawl and ratchet means intermediate of the cover and said spiral conveyor' whereby the latter is actuated during the oscillatory movements of said cover.

8. A device of the character described comprising a casing provided with a lubricant holding chamber and a channel having communication at its ends with said chamber; ducts leading upwardly from an intermediate point in said channel; a spiral member having right and left threads at opposite ends rotatably'mounted insaid chany nel and adapted to force the lubricant toward and into said ducts, a cover pivotally mounted at one edge so as to swing verti cally, said cover being provided with ducts extending from edge to edge; ported means intermediate of the cover ducts andv said first mentioned ducts for conveying the lubricant from the first mentioned ducts into the ducts of said cover; spring mechanism for returning said cover to normal position; and pawl and ratchet mechanism intermediate of the cover and said spiral member whereby the latter is rotated during the return movement of the cover to normal position. v

9. A device of the character described comprising a casing provided with a bottom adapted to seat on the tiesof a track with a portion of said bottom adapted to lap the base of a track rail, one side wall of the casing being arranged to terminate beneath the head of the rail on the rail flange side thereof while the opposite wall of the'casing is provided with upwardly disposed ducts, said casing being provided with a lubricant holding chamber and a channel intermediate of the bottom of said chamber and the bottom ends of said ducts, said channel having communication at its ends with said chamber to receive the lubricant therefrom; a spiral member rotatably mounted in said channel and provided with right and left hand threads at opposite ends adapted to y force the lubricant from the ends of the channel toward and into said ducts; a hollow ported member mounted vabove the casing wall provided with the ducts and having communication with said ducts; a cover, onev end whereof is oscillatably mounted on said hollow member while the other end is adapt-- ed to be in close relation with the side of the head of the rail, said covering being provided with transversely disposed ducts adapted to register with the ports of the hollow member when the cover is in normal position; the delivery ends of the ducts in the cover-terminating in a common channel disposed lengthwise of the rail head edge of the cover; pawl and ratchet mechanism intermediate of the spiral member and said cover arranged to actuate said spiral member when said cov-er moves to normal position; and spring c eating passage between the lubricant hold-` ing chamber' and said duct; rotatable lubri- Cant forcing means in said passage; means intermediate of the tiltably mounted member and said forcing means whereby the latter is rotated as said member returns to normal position, and means whereby said member s returned to normal position.

WILLIAM F. COORS. 

